The Illuminator
Last Sunday, I lifted up a gorgeous prayer from the Apostolic Armenian Church written for the Week of Christian Unity, which is organized each January by the World Council of Churches. It is said that the fourth-century founder of the Armenian church, St. Gregory of Narek, saw a vision of Christ striking the ground with a golden hammer. This is exactly how it feels in our nation right now. While I wish Jesus was a superhero who could bonk the ground and halt the violence, I pray that the reverberations of nonviolent resistance in Minneapolis will continue to quake in our hearts, until every place is free of ICE.
Due to the turmoil, I am offering a spiritual care drop-in session on Thursday at 7pm on Zoom at this link (Meeting ID: 898 6304 0104, Passcode: 364943). Come to share your concerns and just be heard. Until then, let us pray. O Christ, our Saviour, we pray for the people of Minneapolis. Protect and strengthen them. Keep our friends and family safe. Bring healing and justice.
We pray also for the people of Armenia and Artsakh, and their kindred throughout the world, who long ago turned to your light through the preaching of the Apostle Thaddeus and the miraculous witness of St Gregory the Illuminator. In Armenian style, we “glorify Almighty God, who has shined his light upon his creatures. Now, may he once more shine his abundant mercy upon those who glorify his name in song.”
Prayer of St Gregory the Illuminator:
Gracious Lord, God of all,
Guide for the lost, Light for those in darkness.
Our eyes turn to you, hear our prayers.
May the sun of your glory shine forth, giving life and light to all, from the East to the West, and from the North to the South.
Let the morning rays of your eternal spring awaken us who await your coming.
O Jesus Christ, Light from the Light, dwell within us, who have come together to worship your holy and precious name.
Let your life-giving radiance kindle within us a deeper love for one another.
May your brilliant light stir us to ever more flourishing unity.
Like diverse flowers in the garden of your Kingdom, may your divine brilliance cause us to bloom in harmony.
And so, all as one, may we always joyfully praise and glorify you, and the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
with love, Pastor Chelsea
